Symptoms worth checking
An enlarged prostate is very common with age and causes most urinary symptoms in men. Symptoms worth getting checked include:
- A weak or stop start stream, or waiting for the flow to begin
- Passing urine often, urgently, or several times at night
- Feeling that the bladder has not emptied, or dribbling afterwards
- Blood in the urine or semen
Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms at all, which is why a PSA blood test matters. A raised PSA has many causes other than cancer, including an enlarged prostate and infection. Our PSA guide explains the normal ranges by age.
Seek urgent help through NHS 111 or A&E if you cannot pass urine at all, if you have a high temperature with urinary symptoms, or if you are passing clots of blood.
What happens at your consultation
Most of the assessment can be completed at the first visit, so you leave with answers and a clear plan.
History and symptom score
A detailed discussion of your symptoms, general health and medicines, using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) to measure how much they affect you.
Examination
A gentle examination of the abdomen and prostate, which gives useful information about its size and feel.
Urine flow and bladder scan
You pass urine into a flow meter, and a quick ultrasound checks how well the bladder empties.
Tests
A urine test for infection or blood, a PSA blood test if appropriate, and an ultrasound measurement of prostate size where it will guide treatment.
A clear plan
Mr Ameen explains the findings and options, with a written plan on the same day.
The two main pathways
If your PSA is raised
The modern pathway is PSA, then MRI, then biopsy only if needed. An MRI scan of the prostate is the first test, and a targeted transperineal biopsy is recommended only if the scan or other risk factors point to significant cancer. Around one in four men can safely avoid a biopsy altogether. Read more in our MRI and biopsy guide.
If you have urinary symptoms
The flow test, bladder scan and prostate size measurement show how much the prostate is obstructing flow. Treatment ranges from lifestyle measures and tablets to procedures such as Aquablation, Rezum and TURP. Our enlarged prostate guide compares them.
Diagnosis guides
Frequently asked questions
No. You can book a private consultation directly. If you are using insurance, your insurer may ask for a GP referral and a pre authorisation code, so it is worth checking with them first.
Yes. Bring or send any PSA results, scans and reports. Mr Ameen can review NHS or other private results and avoid repeating tests unnecessarily.
No. Most men with a raised PSA do not have prostate cancer. An enlarged prostate, infection and recent exercise or ejaculation can all raise it. An MRI scan helps decide whether further tests are needed.
A list of your medicines, any previous PSA results or scan reports, and ideally arrive with a comfortably full bladder so a flow test can be done.